NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Senators Vote Death Penalty for Terrorists
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From Times Staff and Wire Reports
The Senate, on a 79-20 vote, approved capital punishment for the murder of Americans overseas in acts of terrorism, brushing aside a move to change the maximum penalty under the bill to life in prison. Sen. Arlen Specter, (R-Pa.), sponsor of the bill, said it offered the only suitable reply to “the kinds of offenses that are an affront to humanity.” The bill now goes to the House. It would allow courts to impose prison sentences rather than capital punishment on the few terrorists found guilty of overseas murder in U.S. courts.
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